Are puppies easier if

• Are puppies easier if KCSO Posted : 10/4/2006 9:27:12 PM you already have a dog?  Do they learn from having a bigger fur-sibling around? LIKE 4 REPLIES 72 VIEWS LAST POST BENEDICT Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Deb Posted : 10/5/2006 7:23:26 AM NO! I am watching a man at the park that I work at learn this the hard way. He got a pup he physically can't handle (he has a physical limitation) and expected his older dog to train the younger. The now-enormous pup is wonderful but totally incorrigable, untrained, and his owner is frustrated. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• Benedict Posted : 10/5/2006 7:40:12 AM I am going to disagree with fisher's example here.  Having an older dog won't replace the need for obedience training and socialisation of a puppy, but the pup WILL learn from an older dog.  I have a friend with 2 dogs, an older dog (I think he's about 4) and a puppy, and she swears that housetraining the puppy was easier because the older dog "showed" the younger what to do.  It took me about 6 weeks to housetrain Ben, but her puppy was housetrained in 5 days.  The older dog also puts the younger "in his place" and lets him know when he is being obnoxious.   I think it depends on the dog you already have, and the puppy you get.  They need to be introduced properly and be allowed to figure out their pack order, but I do think the puppy benefits from having another dog around.    Kate 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• dogslyfe Posted : 10/5/2006 8:15:32 AM I have to say that (for me) having older dogs with a puppy is invaluable. Not necessarily easier, but a very important part of his development. He's learning to stay out of their faces, he's learning the schedule, he's learning how to play appropriately - he's learning good doggie behavior. They didn't house train him persay - we're still working on that one. They give good, effective corrections, and I actually am glad I have them around. Gotta be careful though - he mimics their actions. While this is a good thing in some respects, unfortunately, this also includes him mimicing Zippy's "dinner is ready" spin and launch move, and a few other undesirable older dog habit's I'd just as soon he'd not learn. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• sue fitzpatrick FITZPATRICK Posted : 10/5/2006 3:33:42 PM If your elder dogs are well socialized to your house rules, than they do serve very well as extra eyes, ears, and police for puppy mishaps and mischief....but the key is that the elders have to be well socialized, and well behaved-otherwise the little one will mirror the negative just as much as the positive.  Some elder dogs tend to ignore the younger ones unless they directly cross paths, and then the help of having the elder dog around is minimized.  And others take to the role of Nanny like a duck to water.  Your individual's personality will make a difference as will whether or not the elder dog is used to being in a multi-dog pack or not.  0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login